COVINGTON — Two stray pit bulls that have been disturbing residents in the Arbor Lake apartments on Kirkland Road have been caught — but not before they attacked and killed another dog.

According to the incident report completed by Newton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Matt Roberts, sometime around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, a young girl was walking her father’s dog in the apartment complex when two stray pit bulls charged her and began attacking her dog.

“She dropped the leash and ran home to call her dad,” the report states.

When Roberts arrived at the scene, he saw “the two pit bulls standing over the smaller dog, which appeared to be deceased,” he reported.

Newton County Animal Control responded to the scene and took the pit bulls to the Animal Shelter.

NCSO Investigator Michael Cunningham said there had been numerous complaints about these dogs and deputies have been trying for some time to track them down. Animal Control is also attempting to locate the owner or owners of the dogs.

According to Animal Control Director Teri Key-Hooson, the dogs will remain at Animal Control for three business days. If an owner does come for the dogs within that time, they will be declared dangerous or aggressive dogs and the owner will have to take a number of steps to ensure the dogs are properly restrained.

If no owner comes to claim the dogs by that time, the dogs will be euthanized, she said.

In other news, a teenager told deputies that he was walking along Mote Road just before 6 p.m. on Friday when he was approached by a group of four or five juveniles. Cunningham said the victim said the group, which included several males and one female, attempted to start a fight.

“The juvenile refused to enter into a physical altercation and walked away,” Cunningham said. “The victim’s brother then ran to get their mother, at which point one of the males in the group discharged a gun into the air and got into a dark SUV and drove away.”

Cunningham said the victim thought he knew some of the juveniles who approached him, but investigators are continuing to look into the incident.